CHIYO SHUZO

NARA

Nara prefecture is one of only eight prefectures out of the 47 prefectures in Japan that is landlocked and therefore not bordered in some way by ocean or sea. Nara is surrounded by the four prefectures of Osaka to the West, Kyoto to the North, Wakayama to the South and Mie to the East and over half of its land is covered by forest. Nara occupies an important position in history as it was the location of Japan’s first state. The ancient capital, Nara Heijo-kyo was established in 710 A.D. and is now a World Heritage site that recently celebrated the 1300th anniversary of its founding. In the same way, Nara Prefecture can also be considered the historical heartland of sake where centuries ago “Nara-zake” was a term to signify sake of exceptional quality.

Chiyo Shuzo is a very small brewery founded in 1873 which moved to its present location in the southwest part of the Nara basin near the Shinomine mountain range in 1902. Their very small production consists of many, many tiny meigara [brands] which are constantly sought after because of their quality and limited availability.

The current Toji [Master Brewer] Tetsuya Sakai started his career in the wine industry when he worked for Grace Winery for 5 years along with a 3 month winemaking stint in California. After marrying into the family who owned Chiyo Shuzo, Sakai-san’s career path changed to becoming a sake brewer. After 9 years working alongside the previous Toji at Chiyo, Sakai-san eventually took over the role as Toji in 2004 and then in 2007 also became the Kuramoto [Brewery Owner]. In 2000 Sakai-san started creating a range of sake to specifically showcase local regionality. Named after the nearby mountain this range is called Shinomine.

CHIYO SHUZO - NARA

CLASSIFICATION:

Junmai • Pure Rice Sake

Muroka • No charcoal filtration

Nama • Unpasteurised

Genshu • Undiluted

We are very excited to receive an allocation from Chiyo Shuzō of this great sake. Due to its cult status locally, all of the sake Chiyo makes sells out very quickly, so we have been working with the brewery to secure an annual allocation for Australia. The Japanese word ‘kara’ means dry and name ‘chokara’ means this sake is extra dry style. Even though this is a dry sake it also has a lovely freshness, making it an incredibly drinkable and very versatile sake. Shinomine Chokara has an aroma of fresh melon and honeysuckle. When opened this sake has a light spritz with a refreshing palate of fresh green herbs and melon and a finish that islong and dry.

CHIYO SHUZO - NARA

CLASSIFICATION:

Junmai • Pure Rice Sake

Muroka • No charcoal filtration

Nama • Unpasteurised

Genshu • Undiluted

Nigori • Cloudy

Chiyo Shuzō’s very small production are constantly sought after because of their quality & limited availability. The Moromi Nigori is directly bottled from the tank, only given a very coarse filter, and thus contains fermentation sediment. Very fragrant notes of fresh ferment. The palate is dry and textural with the slightset hint of spritz. A wonderful aperitif.

YEAR: 2017

RICE TYPE: Gohyakumangoku [Kōji] & Ginpu [Kake]

RICE POLISHING: 50%

ALCOHOL: 17.5%

YEAST STRAIN: #9

SERVE: Chilled

*Koji = rice used for creating the Koji. *Kake = rice used in the main fermentation

CHIYO SHUZO - NARA

CLASSIFICATION:

Junmai • Pure Rice Sake

Kimoto • Traditional yeast starter method

Muroka • No charcoal filtration

Nama • Unpasteurised

Genshu • Undiluted

We are very excited to receive an allocation from Chiyo Shuzō of this great sake. Due to its cult status locally, all of the sake Chiyo makes sells out very quickly, so we have been working with the brewery to secure an annual allocation for Australia. The Shinomine Kimoto represents an elegant example of this traditional ferment [Kimoto]. With a fragrant & fruity aroma the palate is complex with a vibrant freshness and refined acidity.

YEAR: 2017

RICE TYPE: Yamada Nishiki

RICE POLISHING: 60% [Koji] 77% [Kake]

ALCOHOL: 17.5%

YEAST STRAIN: #9

SERVE: Chilled

*Koji = rice used for creating the Koji. *Kake = rice used in the main fermentation

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Black Market Sake supports the responsible service of alcohol. It is against the law to sell or supply to, or obtain alcohol on behalf of, a person under the age of 18 years. You must be over 18 years of age to place an order online.